Groundwater sampling device

ABSTRACT

A groundwater sampling and pumping device and system for withdrawing groundwater from a well. The device includes a hollow outer housing having water inlet ports formed through a bottom thereof and a hollow inner housing sized to be positioned coaxially within the outer housing and defining a water flow passage therebetween, the respective bottoms being spaced to define a lower portion of the water passage whereby water ports are in fluid communication with the water passage. An electric motor in the inner housing is connected to a water impeller operably positioned between the bottoms to draw groundwater into the water passage. A motor module cap establishes sealed connection to the electrical conduit passing longitudinally to the electrical input terminals of the motor while an output cap is sealingly removably engaged to the open end of the outer housing and includes an aperture for sealingly passing the electrical conduit longitudinally therethrough and a water outlet port for discharging water from the well upwardly therefrom. The water passing upwardly through the water flow passage provides cooling for the motor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to systems and methods for gatheringliquid samples using a submersible pump placed into a pre-establishedwell for analysis and/or groundwater removal and groundwater remediationand circulation of fluids, and more particularly to a device and systemfor these purposes which includes an easily replaceable motor and aunique water flow passage structure and internal sealed electricalcontacts which both prolong motor life and facilitate replacementthereof.

2. Description of Related Art

The taking of groundwater samples from a pre-established well for thepurpose of groundwater sampling and/or removal is well known. Thesesamples are typically taken by a submersible pump device which isdescended into the well as supported and controlled by electrical powerconduits and a flexible fluid conduit for conveying groundwater up tothe ground surface by the pump device for removal or analysis.

A number of prior art devices are known to applicant which are disclosedin the following U.S. patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,060 to Niehaus, et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,509 to Peterson

U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,220 to Burge

U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,754 to Dickinson, et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,829 to Manke, et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,273 to Learned

U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,060 to Niehaus discloses a fluid sampling apparatusfor withdrawing samples of groundwater or other fluids. The pumpincludes a packer associated therewith which minimizes the amount ofliquid which must be pumped to purge the well prior to obtaining anacceptable sample.

A method and apparatus for gathering liquid samples using a submersiblepump is further disclosed by Peterson in U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,509. Thesubmersible pump is operated by means of a surface valving system andsolenoid systems mounted on the submersible pump. U.S. Pat. No.5,708,220 to Burge teaches a liquid sampling device comprising asubmersible liquid sampling device and a ground level sample receivingand control facility.

Dickinson, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,754 discloses a fluidsampling apparatus for withdrawing samples of groundwater or otherfluids from a well or other monitoring site, said apparatus comprising apump means, conduit means and a wellhead assembly. U.S. Pat. No.5,220,829 to Manke, et al. teaches a downhole formation test pumpincluding a progressive cavity pump and Learned discloses methods,apparatus and a low-flow groundwater sampling system in U.S. Pat. No.6,758,273.

The present invention provides such a groundwater sampling device andsystem for withdrawing groundwater from a pre-established well whichdevice is readily serviceable by the quick and convenient removal andreplacement of the motor contained therein and for heightened flow andcooling characteristics around the motor for extended life.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a groundwater sampling and pumping deviceand system for withdrawing groundwater from a well. The device includesa hollow outer housing having water inlet ports formed through a bottomthereof and a hollow inner housing sized to be positioned coaxiallywithin the outer housing and defining a water flow passage therebetween,the respective bottoms being spaced to define a lower portion of thewater passage whereby water ports are in fluid communication with thewater passage. An electric motor in the inner housing is connected to awater impeller operably positioned between the bottoms to drawgroundwater into the water passage. A motor module cap establishessealed connection to the electrical conduit passing longitudinally tothe electrical input terminals of the motor while an output cap issealingly removably engaged to the open end of the outer housing andincludes an aperture for sealingly passing the electrical conduitlongitudinally therethrough and a water outlet port for dischargingwater from the well upwardly therefrom. The water passing upwardlythrough the water flow passage provides cooling for the motor.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a groundwatersampling device for withdrawing groundwater from a pre-established wellwhich is highly serviceable by the quick and easy replacement of thesealed internal electric motor contained therein.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a very high qualityand high capacity groundwater sampling device and system for withdrawinggroundwater from a pre-established well and which includes a jacket orwater passage for water flow around the motor for heightened cooling andincreased motor longevity.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a groundwatersampling device for pumping groundwater from a pre-existing well whichis readily serviceable and includes convenient sealed internalelectrical contact components which facilitate servicing and replacementof the internal sealed motor by providing automatic electrical contactbetween the electrical conduit and the motor contacts.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparenthereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial view of the system of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thegroundwater sampling device and associated above-ground electricalconduit reel apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the power booster/controller of thesystem.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are collectively an exploded view of the components ofthe groundwater sampling device 12.

FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the groundwater sampling device 12 ofFIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is an alternate embodiment of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are alternate embodiments of the bottom of the outerhousing of FIGS. 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and firstly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, thesystem is there shown in FIG. 1 generally at numeral 10 and includes awater sampling device 12 in the form of a submersible groundwater pump,an electrical conduit reel apparatus 14 which interconnects a voltagecontroller/booster device 16 to the device 12 and further includes asample vial 18 into which the groundwater is pumped out of apre-established well W through a water conduit 22 for collection.

The device 12 is described in more detail herebelow and is positionablewithin the well W formed into the ground below grade level G. The depthof the device 12 is controlled primarily by the feeding of theelectrical conduit 20 from the reel apparatus 14. The systemvoltage/current controller/booster 16 includes a connection to theelectrical conduit 20 through attachment of fitting 32 to the matingfitting 28 connected to the reel apparatus 14. Electrical contacts 34,which are attachable to the terminals of a low voltage d.c. electricalpower source such as a 12-volt battery, provide the power input into thecontroller 16. By the adjustment of the variable voltage adjuster 36which is monitored by the liquid crystal display at 38, voltage outputfrom the controller 16 into the motor contained within the device 12 isthereby provided.

The controller 16 inputs direct current from the 12-volt battery andproduces an output voltage to run the device 12 with the specifiedparameters. The controller 16 boosts the voltage to a fixed 30 volts andthen, using a buck converter, puts out a selected fixed voltage to thepump to operate the device 12 at the selected parameters. Considerationis given to the effective wire loss to maximize water output or pressurehead that can be pumped.

Still referring to FIG. 1, when the sampling device 12 is activated,groundwater is forced upwardly through flexible conduit 22, through adisposable valve 24 for dispersion of a controlled volume of groundwaterinto a VOA vial 18. Alternately, the system 10 may also be used tosimply evacuate groundwater from a pre-established well W, in which casethe upper end of the flexible conduit 22 is directed to discharge thegroundwater into a suitable container, above ground basin or the like.

The system 10 described herein is currently available commerciallythrough Proactive Environmental Products of Bradenton, Fla. Twogroundwater sampling devices 12 are generally available, the first underthe trademark SS-MEGA-TYPHOON pump providing groundwater sampling andpurging to a depth of 80′ and the SS-MONSOON model providing a pumpingdepth to 120′. The pumping depth and performance in gallons per minutefor each of these two sampling devices are shown herebelow:SS-MEGA-TYPHOON PUMP CHART Pumping Depth 3 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 inFeet Gallons Per 3.5 3.0 2.75 2.55 2.00 1.25 1.00 .50 .25 N/A MinuteSS-MONSOON PUMP CHART Pumping Depth 3 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110120 130 in Feet Gallons Per 4.0 3.75 3.5 3.25 3.0 2.75 2.0 1.75 1.5 1.251.0 .50 .25 N/A Minute

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 7, the preferred groundwater sampling device12, as best seen collectively in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, may be viewed andbest understood in three separate component stages, most of which aregenerally formed and/or machined of substantially non-corrosivematerial, such as TEFLON and stainless steel for strength. As seen inFIG. 6 in which both side and bottom views are shown, an outercylindrical housing 40 formed of thin wall stainless tubular materialhollow on the interior thereof, includes a machined bottom 42 threadablyengaged into the tubular material which is formed as a segmented spherehaving water inlet ports 44 formed centrally therethrough as also bestshown in FIG. 7. These inlet ports 44 lead to an interior chamber 86into which groundwater is drawn in the direction of arrows A in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 5, showing side, top and bottom views, the inner hollowcylindrical tubular housing 46, also formed of thin wall stainlesstubular material, includes a bottom 46 having a water seal 80 centrallydisposed having an axial passageway to receive an output shaft 52 of ad.c. motor 48 sealingly fit there through upon motor 48 insertion intothe inner housing 46. A water impeller 50 is attached to the outputshaft 52 and is positioned as best seen in FIG. 7 within the interiorchamber 86. A clearance gap is established by diameter selection betweenthe inner diameter of the outer housing 40 and the outer diameter of theinner housing 48 to define a water passage or jacket 88 which upwardlyreceives groundwater in the direction of the arrows caused to flow intothe inlet ports 44 in the direction of arrow A, continuing through theinterior chamber 86, again in the direction of the arrows into the waterpassage 88.

The upper end of the motor 48 includes two electrical contacts 56 and 58which receive electrical d.c. current and voltage from the controller 16through the electrical conduit 20 as will be described in more detailherebelow. The preferred motor operating parameters for theSS-MEGA-TYPHOON model is 12.6 a/16.4 v.d.c. The SS-MONSOON modeloperates at 12.6 a/17.4 v.d.c.

Referring to FIG. 4, showing side and bottom views, the upper portion ofthe device includes a motor module cap 62 and an output cap 72. Theoutput cap 72 is threadably engaged as best seen in FIG. 7 into themating threads formed into the upper end of the outer housing 40. Themotor module cap 62, also formed of machined material, includesoutwardly extending pins 66 which, as best seen in FIG. 5, lockablyengage into L-shaped slots 60 formed into the upper end of the innerhousing 46 as shown. Following axial movement together with the pins 66properly aligned with the longitudinal portion of these L-shaped slots60, a simple twisting action seals and locks the motor module cap 62into engagement with the upper end of the inner housing 46, O-rings 64establishing the water-tight seal. Note importantly that alignment pin94, anchored into bottom 46 a, establishes proper rotational alignmentbetween the motor 48 and the inner housing 46.

The output cap 72 and the motor module cap 62 are held together in fixedspaced relationship by a plurality of longitudinally extending threadedfasteners 67. To maintain the spacing shown between these two componentsand, as best seen in FIG. 7 to establish the upper portion of the waterpassage 88, cylindrical sleeves 84 which are sealingly engaged atO-rings 74 at either end thereof, are fitted into mating alignedcavities formed into the facing surfaces of the output cap 72 and themotor module cap 62. These tubular spacers 84 are also sized to receiveone of two coated wires of the electrical conduit 20, each wire of whichextends through one of the spacers 84 as best seen in FIG. 7.Maintaining the water seal of the interior of the device 12 is againestablished by O-rings 74 at each end of each of these spacers 84.

Positioned within the motor module cap 62 are two electrical contacts 68and 70 which are longitudinally floatingly positioned for biased axialmovement in the direction of arrow C by compression springs 76. Thecontact blocks 68 and 70 are supported within slots formed intonon-conductive arcuately configured spacers 82 which are themselves heldin position by threaded fasteners as best seen in FIG. 4. The distal endportions of the electrical conduit 20 are preferably stripped ofinsulation to expose the conductive interior wiring and then clampedinto position within mating holes formed through each of the contactblocks 58 by set screws 92. By this arrangement, when the motor modulecap 62 is locked into place as previously described, electrical contactbetween contact blocks 68 and 70 is automatically made with the motorcontacts 56 and 58, respectively. Again, note that alignment pin 94 inFIG. 7 establishes proper rotational alignment and immobilizationrotationally between the motor 48 and the inner housing 46.

The outlet port 90, as seen in FIG. 7, is formed axially through theoutlet cap 72 which threadably receives a conduit nipple 26 shown inFIG. 4 for receiving the lower end of the flexible conduit 22 as shownin FIG. 1. By this arrangement the groundwater flowing into the devicein the direction of arrow A through inlet ports 44 flows upwardlythrough the passageway 88 for discharge upward through outlet port 90.Note that the water flow through water passage 88 cools the motor 48 forincreasing motor life and efficiency.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternate embodiment of the sampling deviceis there shown generally at numeral 12′ and includes all of the samecomponents previously shown in FIG. 7 except as noted herebelow.However, in this embodiment, the lower distal ends of the electricalconduit 20, which are stripped of their insulated coatings, are solderedor mechanically attached at 20 a to the electrical contacts 56 and 58 ofthe motor 48.

In either case, simple replacement of the motor 48 is easilyaccomplished when required. This motor replacement procedure, as bestunderstood from FIGS. 4 to 7, after removal of the water impeller 50,involves unscrewing a sub-assembly of (a) the inner housing 46 withmotor 48 therein (b) the motor module 62 connected to (c) the output cap72. The inner housing 46 with motor 48 therein is then twisted andpulled free of the motor module cap 62/output cap 72. Thereafter, themotor 48 is slidably removed from the inner housing 46 by applying axialpressure against the end of the output shaft 52. This procedure isreversed to install a new motor.

Referring lastly to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternate preferred embodiment ofthe bottom member 42′ of the outer housing is there shown. In thisembodiment, which is also formed of machined stainless steel, the inletports 44 extend into radially spaced diagonally upwardly opening slots100 which have been shown to greatly increase head pressure and thuslythe overall flow at any specified submerged depth of the device 12′. Thesmooth flow of the groundwater shown by the arrows in FIG. 10 ispresumed to be the source of this operational benefit.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in whatare conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosedherein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as toembrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.

1. A groundwater sampling device for withdrawing groundwater from a wellcomprising: a hollow cylindrical tubular outer housing having a bottomand an open upper end thereof, said bottom having a water inlet portformed therethrough; a hollow cylindrical tubular inner housing having abottom and an open upper end thereof, said inner housing sized to bepositioned coaxially within said outer housing and defining asubstantially cylindrical water flow passage therebetween, said bottomof said inner housing spaced from said bottom of said outer housing todefine a lower portion of said water passage whereby said inlet port isin fluid communication with said water flow passage; an electric motorpositioned within said inner housing, an output shaft of said motordownwardly extending through a sealed hole in said bottom of said innerhousing; a water impeller connected to a lower end of said output shaftand operably positioned between said bottoms to cause water in the wellto be drawn inwardly through said inlet port into and upwardly throughsaid water flow passage; a motor module cap sealingly removably engagedat said open upper end of said inner housing, said motor module caphaving aperture means for sealingly positioning electrical conduitpassing longitudinally therethrough in contact with electrical inputterminals of said motor; an output cap sealingly removably engaged atsaid open end of said outer housing, said output cap having aperturemeans for sealingly passing the electrical conduit longitudinallytherethrough and also having a water outlet port for discharging waterfrom the well upwardly therefrom, the water passing upwardly throughsaid water flow passage providing cooling for said motor.
 2. Agroundwater sampling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said motoris replaceable, said electrical input terminals making automatic biasedcontact with the electrical conduit upon assembly of said device.
 3. Agroundwater sampling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said motoris replaceable, said electric output terminals being mechanicallyreattachable to the electrical conduit during reassembly of said device.4. A groundwater sampling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: saidinner housing slidably, then twistably lockable to said motor module capby mating engagement of a plurality of uniquely spaced L-shaped slotsformed into the upper end of said inner housing and an equal pluralityof pins extending radially outwardly from said motor module cap.
 5. Agroundwater sampling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said inletport includes a plurality of radially and upwardly sloping flow slotswhich define said lower portion and enhance groundwater flow throughsaid device.
 6. A groundwater sampling device adapted to be submergedinto groundwater within a well and for pumping a portion of thegroundwater from the well, comprising: a hollow cylindrical tubularouter housing having a bottom and an open upper end thereof, said bottomhaving a plurality of water inlet ports formed therethrough; a hollowcylindrical tubular inner housing having a bottom and an open upper endthereof, said inner housing sized to be positioned coaxially within saidouter housing and defining a substantially cylindrical water flowpassage therebetween, said bottom of said inner housing spaced from saidbottom of said outer housing to define a lower portion of said waterpassage whereby said inlet port is in fluid communication with saidwater flow passage; an electric motor positioned within said innerhousing, an output shaft of said motor downwardly extending through asealed hole in said bottom of said inner housing; a water impellerconnected to a lower end of said output shaft and operably positionedbetween said bottoms to cause water in the well to be drawn inwardlythrough said inlet port into and upwardly through said water flowpassage; a motor module cap sealingly removably engaged at said openupper end of said inner housing, said motor module cap having aperturemeans for sealingly positioning electrical conduit passinglongitudinally therethrough in contact with electrical input terminalsof said motor; an output cap sealingly removably engaged at said openend of said outer housing, said output cap having aperture means forsealingly passing the electrical conduit longitudinally therethrough andalso having a water outlet port, said output cap also being connected inspaced relation to and above said motor module cap to form an upperportion of said water flow passage whereby water from the well isdischarged upwardly through said outlet port, the water passing upwardlythrough said water flow passage providing cooling for said motor; saidmotor module cap also longitudinally positioning and supporting saidinner housing to define said lower portion of said water flow passage.7. A groundwater sampling device as set forth in claim 6, wherein: saidmotor is replaceable, said electrical input terminals making automaticbiased contact with the electrical conduit upon assembly of said device.8. A groundwater sampling device as set forth in claim 6, wherein: saidmotor is replaceable, said electric output terminals being mechanicallyreattachable to the electrical conduit during reassembly of said device.9. A groundwater sampling device as set forth in claim 6, wherein: saidinner housing slidably, then twistably lockable to said motor module capby mating engagement of a plurality of uniquely spaced L-shaped slotsformed into the upper end of said inner housing and an equal pluralityof pins extending radially outwardly from said motor module cap.
 10. Agroundwater sampling device as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said inletport includes a plurality of radially and upwardly sloping flow slotswhich define said lower portion and enhance groundwater flow throughsaid device.
 11. A groundwater sampling system for withdrawinggroundwater from a well comprising: a sampling device comprising: ahollow cylindrical tubular outer housing having a bottom and an openupper end thereof, said bottom having a water inlet port formedtherethrough; a hollow cylindrical tubular inner housing having a bottomand an open upper end thereof, said inner housing sized to be positionedcoaxially within said outer housing and defining a substantiallycylindrical water flow passage therebetween, said bottom of said innerhousing spaced from said bottom of said outer housing to define a lowerportion of said water passage whereby said inlet port is in fluidcommunication with said water flow passage; an electric motor positionedwithin said inner housing, an output shaft of said motor downwardlyextending through a sealed hole in said bottom of said inner housing; awater impeller connected to a lower end of said output shaft andoperably positioned between said bottoms to cause water in the well tobe drawn inwardly through said inlet port into and upwardly through saidwater flow passage; a motor module cap sealingly removably engaged atsaid open upper end of said inner housing, said motor module cap havingaperture means for sealingly positioning electrical conduit passinglongitudinally therethrough in contact with electrical input terminalsof said motor; an output cap sealingly removably engaged at said openend of said outer housing, said output cap having aperture means forsealingly passing the electrical conduit longitudinally therethrough andalso having a water outlet port for discharging water from the wellupwardly therefrom, the water passing upwardly through said water flowpassage providing cooling for said motor; an electrical power controlleroperably connectable between a power source and said electrical conduitwhereby voltage and electrical current delivered to said motor andthusly water pumped from the well is variable; a flexible outlet conduitoperably connectable at one end thereof to said outlet port and atanother end thereof to a water sample vial capable of holding a quantityof groundwater pumped from the well by said device.
 12. A groundwatersampling device as set forth in claim 11, wherein: said motor isreplaceable, said electrical input terminals making automatic biasedcontact with the electrical conduit upon reassembly of said device. 13.A groundwater sampling device as set forth in claim 11, wherein: saidmotor is replaceable, said electric output terminals being mechanicallyreattachable to the electrical conduit during reassembly of said device.14. A groundwater sampling device as set forth in claim 11, wherein:said inner housing slidably, then twistably lockable to said motormodule cap by mating engagement of a plurality of uniquely spacedL-shaped slots formed into the upper end of said inner housing and anequal plurality of pins extending radially outwardly from said motormodule cap.
 15. A groundwater sampling device as set forth in claim 11,wherein: said inlet port includes a plurality of radially and upwardlysloping flow slots which define said lower portion and enhancegroundwater flow through said device.